Come to Norton's and get comfortable

“Come in and get comfortable” is the philosophy at Norton’s in Highland Park, now in its 19th year of operation and an enduring labor of love for its co-owners, two childhood friends.

“Come in and get comfortable” is the philosophy at Norton’s in Highland Park, now in its 19th year of operation and an enduring labor of love for its co-owners, two childhood friends. (Donald Liebenson/News-Sun)

Funny story: Norton's in Highland Park initially was named for Ed Norton, the iconic character from "The Honeymooners," portrayed by Art Carney. But early on in the restaurant's life, a man threatened legal action on behalf of the actor, and co-owners Richard Holleb and Jeffrey Mages got creative. Up went pictures of boxer Ken Norton, Norton brand motorcycles and even Ken Norton, Jr. "We never saw the man again," Holleb says with a laugh.

Today, Norton's is nearing its 20th anniversary. It is a neighborhood institution that is still really cooking. The secret to Norton's success? "I've never had anything bad here," states Highland Park resident Ira Rumick, a recent lunch visitor. Rumick discovered Norton's when the company he works for, Coldwell Banker, had an office on the same street.

The company moved, but Rumick still stops in to Norton's up to four times a week. "If you ever want something that's not on the menu but they have (the ingredients), they will make it for you," he says. "They have a chicken sandwich, but I like it on garlic French breed with cheese, and I like the chicken blackened."

Norton's is a labor of love for Holleb, whose family was in food distribution, and Mages, a purveyor of hot dogs at U Dawg U. They've known each other since they were preteens. Holleb lived in Evanston, Mages in Wilmette. A mutual friend introduced them. "I taught Jeffrey how to drive when we were 13," Holleb says. "We got caught and he was grounded. His mother is still mad at me."

An old married couple "is a good way to describe them," Rumick offers.

Philosophy: "Come on in and get comfortable," Holleb greets a couple as they enter, and that is an apt summation of Norton's raison d'etre. "We appreciate every customer who comes in," he says "They get a hello and goodbye, and when we ask, 'How is everything?" almost every time they say, "Good, as always.' It's a friendly community place; people come in and will inevitably know somebody at two or three other tables.

"Nobody makes a customer walk in here so we provide the most entertaining, enjoyable, fun experience possible."

On the menu: With a few tweaks over the years, Norton's menu has stayed consistent over the course of almost two decades with a wide range of appetizers, salads, pizzas, sandwiches and pasta, beef, seafood, and pasta entrees. While Norton's burgers, ground fresh every day and hand-packed, may be its signature offering, its second-best seller, Holleb says, is its salads. There are daily lunch and dinner specials, and all soups are made from scratch. The 12 and under children's menu includes macaroni and cheese, grilled or fried chicken fingers, comfort food sandwiches (hamburger, hot dog and grilled cheese), and a kids Norton salad.

Decor: Norton's has an inviting pub vibe with wooden tables and chairs and brick walls graced with photos of legends from Chicago sports and Hollywood along with sports memorabilia such as Chicago White Sox legend Frank Thomas' jersey, and for a laugh, the classic "Golf with Your Friends" Three Stooges poster). The dining room seats 84 with room for up to 15 at the bar. In warmer weather there is outdoor seating in front and a patio in the back of the restaurant.

Norton's features live music every Saturday night. Recent entertainers include Tony Ocean, a throwback to the Rat Pack era, and Chicago Blues Hall of Fame guitarist Michael Charles. Norton's also provides a stage during the week for budding musicians who are the children of regular customers; another way Norton's gives back to the community along with supporting "worthy charities" and sponsoring youth sports teams. The bar is a star in its own right. Holleb notes with pride that Norton's is the No. 1 purchaser of Casamigos Tequila in Illinois. "We serve a lot of shots here," he says.

Pricing: The children's menu ranges from $8 (pasta with marinara or butter) to $11 (Kids BBQ ribs). Appetizers range from $7.50 for onion rings to $15 for shrimp or steak quesadillas. The Norton's salad is $11 as is the basic Norton burger. The 8-inch thin crust pizza is $9 while sandwiches top out at $16 for the blackened salmon sandwich. Entrees range from $12.50 for the chicken pot pie to $24 for the grilled skirt steak and shrimp stir fry.